The Central African Republic, a former French colony, is one of the poorest, least developed and highly unstable countries in the world despite being rich in gold and diamonds.
Updated: May 11, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Mining in the time of conflict
A prospector shows a sample of gold near the open pit at the Ndassima gold mine near Djoubissi. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
A prospector takes a break at the open pit at Ndassima gold mine near Djoubissi. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
Prospectors sell their collected samples of gold near the open pit at Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
A boy cleans a shovel before panning for gold near the open pit Ndassima at the gold mine near Djoubissi. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
A former Seleka soldier looks at prospectors washing extracted soil and small rocks as they pan for gold near the open pit at the Ndassima gold mine near Djoubissi. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
Prospectors wash extracted soil and small rocks as they pan for gold near the open-pit at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
A prospector sits on sacks containing rocks, sand and possible samples of gold extracted from the open pit at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
Prospectors work at an open-pit at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
Prospectors work at an open-pit at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
A prospector washes extracted soil and small rocks as he pans for gold at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters
Prospectors wash extracted soil and small rocks as they pan for gold near the open-pit at the Ndassima gold mine. Siegfried Modola / Reuters